File box



2 `Sheets--Sheet 1.

M. J. WINE.

(No Model.)

FILE BOX.

110.290,616. Patented Deo. 18, 1888.

(No Model.) 2.Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. J. WINE.

PILE B0X.` 110.290,61@I Patented Dee. 18, 1883.

N. Pinzas Prwwuxmgmnm. hmmm D c,

STATES f PATENT OFFICE@ MILETUS J. VINE, OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OFCOLUMBIA.

FILE-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part'of Letters Patent No. 290,616, dated December18, 1883.

Application filed June23, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, MILF/rus J. WINE, of Vashington, in the District ofColumbia, have invented certain Improvements in File-Boxes, ofwhichthefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved follower or pressure deviceintended for use in those drawers or trays which, standing normally in ahorizontal or substantially horizontal position, are employed for filingor retaining papers, drawings, or other sheets, the aim of the inventionbeing to provide a simple and automatic device by which the papers maybe retained under a suitable degree of compression, and which will admitof papers being examined and removed with facility.

'Io this end it consists in a combination, with the drawer or otherholder, of a weighted follower-plate hinged at one edge to a transversebar, which is in turn hinged or pivoted at the outer or lower end of thetray, as hereinafter more fully explained.

I have represented my invention in connection with that class of drawersor trays which are arranged to remain in an inclined position whenwithdrawn from the case or cabinet. It may be applied with equalfacility to those of other styles.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view,illustrating three open drawers or trays with my improved deviceattached, the device being represented in the different positions in therespective drawers. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are vertical longitudinal sectionsthrough one of the drawers, showing the follower in its variouspositions. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section on the line x fr of Fig.2, showing the sliding connection of the pressure-bar. Fig. 6 is a faceview of one of the plates by which said bar is sustained.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the case or cabinet, and B thedrawers or trays mounted therein.

In applying my improvement I provide for each tray a fiat followersheet,C, of sheet metal, pasteboard, or equivalent material, and of a sizesomewhat smaller than the interior of the drawer. At its forward edge Ihinge the follower to a transverse gravitating-bar, D, arranged toextend across the tray from side to side, this bar being in turn securedt0 the tray at its forward edge by a jointed connection, which admits ofits swinging forward and backward. It is preferred to have thejointedconnection, by which the bar is retained in place, of such character, asshown in the drawings, that it will admit of the bar rising and fallingbodily within the drawer; but this is not a necessary feature.

The connection employed for the bar consists of two vertically-slottedplates, E, secured to the inner faces or sides of the drawer on oppositesides and of necks or spindles extended outward from the ends of the barD through the slotted plates, and provided on their outer ends withheads or washers a, by which their escape is prevented. This connectionadmits of the bar D rising and falling freely within the drawer, andalso admits of itsbeing turned backward or outward when elevated to thetop of the drawer, as shown in Figs. l and 4.

'Ihe bar D is preferably made of metal or suitably weighted, in orderthat it may rest with a considerable degree of force upon the paperswithin the drawer, so that the same may be retained at their lower orforward edges when the follower is raised. The foli lower C is also madeof suitable weight, or provided, as shown, with a weight, b, securedfirmly to its free end, whereby itis also caused to bear upon the paperswith a moderate degree of pressure.

In makinguse of the device, the papers are placed within the drawer, andthe bar and follower-plate turned inward and permitted to rest upon themin the manner represented in Fig. 2 and on the left hand in Fig. l. Inthis position of the parts the papers are subjected to a suiiicientpressure to keep them in a flat a-nd Ycompact condition, while theirupper edges, being exposed above the edge of the follower-plate C, maybe readily turned upward to examine the inscriptions thereon without thenecessity of lifting the plate.

In order to gain access to the body portion of the papers whileretaining them in position, it is only necessary to turn the follower Coutward or forward upon its hinges in the manner represented in Fig. 3,and in the upper drawer of Fig. l. Vhen the parts are in this IOC)position, it will be observed that thebar D continues to bear upon andconfine the forward edges of the sheets, while the upper portions areleft entirely free, so that they may be turned or folded forward. If,however, it be desired to have access to the entire face of the sheets,or' to remove the sheets from or add others to the number in the drawer,the follower is lifted so as to bring the bar D to the top ofthe drawer,and then turned outward and permitted to hang in the position repre`sented in Fig. 4, and on the righthand of Fic. l, the bar D being insuch case reversed, so as to bear upon the front edge of the drawer,while the follower-plate hangs in a pendent position therefrom. Topermit the convenient manipulation of the follower-plate, it will beprovided with a knob, as shown, or with a handle or other equivalentdevice. f

Vhile the slotted plates represented in the drawings constitute a simpleand ei'iicient connection between the bar and the tray, it is to beunderstood that any equivalent connection which will permit a freerising and falling inotion of said bar, and also a rolling motion of thesaine may be substituted.

yAlthough I have described above and have illustrated in the drawingsweights of considerable thickness applied tothe follower-plate,

and provided with knobs or handles as a means for lifting the saine, Ipropose to omit the knobs, when desired, and to extend the weight in athin, dat form, in order to reduce its Vertical thickness, and thusrender the tray practically available to its full capacity.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is" l. In combinationwith a tray or drawer, a transverse gravitating bar, and a joint,substantially as described, connecting said bar at one edge with thetray, said parts adapted, as described, to permit the bar to rise andfall freely, and also to permit the sanne to be turned backward from theend ofthe tray, as described.

2. In combination with a drawer or tray for papers, a transversegravitating bar jointed at one edge to the end of the said receptacleand arranged to swing outward a-t the top, as described, and thc weightor pressure-plate having one edge hinged to said bar and the oppositeend free to rise and fall, as described.

In combination with the drawer or rcceptacle, the vertical slottedplates, the transverse bar having its journals seated in said plates,and the weighted follower C, hinged at one edge to said bar.

MILETUS J. "WINE Vitnesses:

A. G. HEYLMUN, XVM. II. TUCKER.

